Modification History
Release 4 - ISC upgrade
- Publishing errors corrected
- Prerequisites not marked with an asterisk
- Imported unit updated to latest version
Release 3 - ISC upgrade
- Correction of wrong MSAENV unit listed in core and elective units in release 2
- Prerequisite listed for HLTPAT419A removed – unit has no prerequisite
- HLTPAT units updated to current versions - equivalent
Release 2 - inclusion of new electives for forensic testing
Description
This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to perform a range of laboratory techniques to conduct tests and sampling in a variety of industry sectors.
Job roles/employment outcomes
The Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques offers technical training in laboratory techniques across a range of industries. Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include technical assistants, technicians, instrument operators and similar personnel.
Technical assistants undertake a wide range of sampling and testing that requires the application of a broad range of technical skills and some scientific knowledge. Although technical assistants generally work in a laboratory, they often work closely with other personnel throughout the workplace and with suppliers. They may assist other personnel to solve technical problems and to adjust formulations and production mixes. They may also train them to collect samples and conduct basic tests reliably.
The work of technical assistants involves similar tasks within one scientific discipline with occasional peak periods and some interruptions. They:
- work according to established procedures in a structured environment
- collect and prepare samples
- conduct a wide range of basic tests and a limited range of specialised tests and measurements using manual, semi-automated and fully automated techniques
- define and solve problems of limited complexity where the information available is less obvious, but not contradictory, and can be determined by direct reasoning
- work under the direction and regular supervision of senior technical staff, laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical personnel. The work of technical assistants is normally subject to frequent progress and quality checks
- generally work in a team and may have responsibility for their own work outputs.
An example of the work of technical assistants is given below.
- A technical assistant who works in a mineral preparation plant receives and logs incoming ore samples and operates handling equipment to move samples to treatment points. In the laboratory, the assistant conducts routine chemical and physical tests and redirects other sub-samples for specialised analyses.
Application
This qualification is typically used to prepare new employees or develop the skills of existing workers performing a technical assistant role in a variety of industry sectors.
This qualification recognises that some industry sectors employ technicians who have broad technical-scientific knowledge and skills, but without substantial depth in one specialisation as provided by the Diploma of Laboratory Technology. This qualification also addresses the concerns of industry representatives who stated that a gap between the Certificate III and Diploma in the Qualifications Framework could represent a barrier to career progression in some sectors.
Training programs for this qualification are suitable to be undertaken as part of a formal training contract with an employer under an Australian Traineeship or Apprenticeship arrangement.
Pathways Information
Pathways into the qualification
This qualification may be accessed by direct entry. Credit may be granted towards this qualification by those who have completed the MSL30109 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills. Credit for this qualification may include units contained within relevant skill sets.
Pathways from the qualification
Further training pathways from this qualification include MSL50109 Diploma of Laboratory Technology.
Additional qualification advice
Because specialisation is a requirement in some industry sectors for the Certificate IV, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) may choose to issue a generic:
- Certificate IV in Laboratory Technology
or, where elective units of competency are packaged to suit a particular industry sector or specialisation, RTOs might issue a:
- Certificate IV in Laboratory Technology
(specialising in xxxxxxx)
Industry sector/specialisations could include, but are not limited to:
- biological testing
- chemical testing
- construction materials testing
- environmental monitoring
- food testing
- manufacturing testing
- mineral assay
- scientific glassblowing
- wine testing.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
There are no specific licences that relate to this qualification. However, depending on the jurisdiction, licensing or regulatory requirements may apply to the use of some units of competency in this qualification. Local regulations should be checked for details.
Entry Requirements
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Summary
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS QUALIFICATION SUMMARY |
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Employability Skill |
Industry /enterprise requirements for this qualification include : |
Communication |
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Teamwork |
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Problem solving |
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Initiative and enterprise |
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Planning and organising |
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Self-management |
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Learning |
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Technology |
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Packaging Rules
To be awarded a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques competency must be achieved in a total of seventeen (17) units of competency, consisting of:
Units listed under core are considered essential for all technical assistants. The units listed as electives may only apply to some personnel according to the size and scope of the particular enterprise and laboratory. Note : Units marked with an asterisk have one or more prerequisite requirements and must be considered in the total number of units. Please refer to individual units for details. Core units of competency
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Unit code |
Unit title |
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MSL913001A |
Communicate with other people |
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MSL913002A |
Plan and conduct laboratory/field work |
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MSL924001A |
Process and interpret data |
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MSL934002A |
Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes |
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MSL943002A |
Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety |
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MSAENV272B |
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices |
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Elective units of competency Select eleven (11) elective units from Groups A, B and C as specified below:
Note that three (3) of the elective units may be chosen from this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses, where those units are available at Certificate IV. |
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Group A |
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Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL904001A |
Perform standard calibrations |
|
MSL914001A |
Prepare practical science classes and demonstrations |
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MSL924002A |
Use laboratory application software |
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MSL934001A |
Contribute to the ongoing development of HACCP plans |
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MSL934003A |
Maintain and control stocks |
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MSL944001A |
Maintain laboratory/field workplace safety |
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MSL954001A |
Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan |
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MSL954002A |
Prepare mineral samples for analysis |
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MSL974001A |
Prepare, standardise and use solutions |
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MSL974002A |
Conduct geotechnical site investigations |
* |
MSL974003A |
Perform chemical tests and procedures |
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MSL974004A |
Perform food tests |
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MSL974005A |
Perform physical tests |
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MSL974006A |
Perform biological procedures |
* |
MSL974007A |
Undertake environmental field-based monitoring |
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MSL974008A |
Capture and manage scientific images |
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MSL974009A |
Undertake field-based, remote-sensing monitoring |
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MSL974010A |
Perform mechanical tests |
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MSL974011A |
Prepare tissue and cell cultures |
* |
MSL974012A |
Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials |
* |
MSL974013A |
Monitor performance of structures |
* |
MSAENV472B |
Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices |
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HLTPAT419C |
Perform pathology tests |
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Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL933001A |
Maintain the laboratory/field workplace fit for purpose |
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MSL933002A |
Contribute to the achievement of quality objectives |
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MSL933003A |
Apply critical control point requirements |
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MSL933004A |
Perform calibration checks on equipment and assist with its maintenance |
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MSL943001A |
Work safely with instruments that emit ionising radiation |
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MSL953001A |
Receive and prepare samples for testing |
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MSL953002A |
Operate a robotic sample preparation system |
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MSL963001A |
Operate basic handblowing equipment |
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MSL963002A |
Repair glass apparatus using simple glassblowing equipment |
* |
MSL973001A |
Perform basic tests |
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MSL973002A |
Prepare working solutions |
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MSL973003A |
Prepare culture media |
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MSL973004A |
Perform aseptic techniques |
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MSL973005A |
Assist with fieldwork |
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MSL973006A |
Prepare trial batches for evaluation |
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MSL973007A |
Perform microscopic examination |
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MSL973008A |
Perform histological procedures |
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MSL973009A |
Conduct field-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
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MSL973010A |
Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials |
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MSL973011A |
Perform fire pouring techniques |
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MSL973012A |
Assist with geotechnical investigations |
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TAEDEL301A |
Provide work skill instruction |
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HLTPAT317C |
Operate effectively within a pathology testing environment |
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Group C |
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Unit code |
Unit title |
Prerequisites |
MSL905001A |
Perform non-standard calibrations |
* |
MSL905002A |
Create or modify calibration procedures |
* |
MSL905003A |
Create or modify automated calibration procedures |
* |
MSL915001A |
Provide information to customers |
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MSL915002A |
Schedule laboratory work for a small team |
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MSL925001A |
Analyse data and report results |
* |
MSL925002A |
Analyse measurements and estimate uncertainties |
* |
MSL935001A |
Monitor the quality of test results and data |
* |
MSL935002A |
Assist in the maintenance of reference materials |
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MSL935003A |
Authorise the issue of test results |
* |
MSL935004A |
Maintain instruments and equipment |
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MSL955001A |
Supervise a robotic sample preparation system |
* |
MSL965001A |
Design and manufacture glass apparatus and glass systems |
* |
MSL965002A |
Perform glass coating, grinding and finishing operations |
* |
MSL965003A |
Construct, modify and maintain high vacuum systems |
* |
MSL975001A |
Perform microbiological tests |
* |
MSL975002A |
Perform haematological tests |
* |
MSL975003A |
Perform histological tests |
* |
MSL975004A |
Perform chemical pathology tests |
* |
MSL975005A |
Conduct sensory analysis |
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MSL975006A |
Perform immunohaematological tests |
* |
MSL975007A |
Supervise sampling, inspections and testing at construction sites |
* |
MSL975008A |
Apply electrophoretic techniques |
* |
MSL975009A |
Apply routine chromatographic techniques |
* |
MSL975010A |
Perform fire assay techniques |
* |
MSL975011A |
Design and supervise complex environmental field surveys |
* |
MSL975012A |
Provide input to production trials |
* |
MSL975013A |
Perform tissue and cell culture techniques |
* |
MSL975014A |
Perform molecular biology tests and procedures |
* |
MSL975015A |
Prepare animal and plant material for display |
* |
MSL975016A |
Perform complex tests to measure engineering properties of materials |
* |
MSL975017A |
Perform laboratory-based ecological techniques |
* |
MSL975018A |
Perform complex tests to measure chemical properties of materials |
* |
MSL975019A |
Apply complex instrumental techniques |
* |
MSL975020A |
Apply routine spectrometric techniques |
* |
MSL975021A |
Apply routine electrometric techniques |
* |
MSL975022A |
Perform food analyses |
* |
MSL975023A |
Supervise geotechnical site investigations |
* |
MSL975024A |
Locate record and collect forensic samples |
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MSL975025A |
Perform complex laboratory testing of forensic samples |
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MSL975026A |
Perform physical examination of forensic samples |